Chapter 101
These eyes were as deep and dark as ink and sea, yet exceptionally indifferent and cold. When they fell upon a child of seven or eight years old, though beautiful, it was truly too peculiar.
He looked at Feng Yin, his expression calm and unruffled, yet inwardly he was utterly astonished.
Why hadn’t his aunt told him that the little phoenix who had hatched back then, after merely sleeping for a while, had already awakened as a Demigod? On the day Feng Yin awoke, there had clearly been no Thunder Tribulation descending within the Three Realms for ascension to godhood. Why was that?
Feng Yin, being stared at by this child, felt momentarily flustered and dazed. However, having reincarnated for a thousand years, her composure was far from what it once was. She steadied her mind, coughed lightly, and looked at the little child with curiosity, asking, “Whose child are you?”
This bold and crisp voice only deepened the sense of familiarity that arose in the standing child’s heart.
Feng Yin lowered her gaze to the child who seemed lost in thought, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.
Though the child appeared to possess little Immortal Power, the cloud-patterned robe he wore alone would have taken the Heavenly Palace’s weavers hundreds of years to complete. He was certainly no ordinary descendant of an immortal family. Her Master Sovereign had a wide circle of acquaintances; perhaps this child was a young scion from some Immortal Mansion who had followed his elders to visit Phoenix Island.
She could have easily swept the child back to the front island with a flap of her wings, but for some reason, the child’s appearance and those eyes felt vaguely familiar and particularly endeared him to her.
Could it be that she had befriended this child’s elders a thousand years ago while wandering the Three Realms in the form of a Water Condensation Beast? Feng Yin turned the thought over in her mind but could not recall this subtle connection, her brow furrowing slightly.
Her puzzled expression did not escape the notice of the little child in white beneath the ancestral tree. He frowned slightly, looking at Feng Yin with a probing gaze.
“I’m asking you, little one. Didn’t your elders tell you that the ancient forest of Wutong Phoenix Island is a forbidden area? How did you end up here all alone?” Feng Yin asked patiently while inwardly chiding herself for her weakness toward those with pleasing appearances.
“What? Not willing to speak?” Seeing the child remain silent and only stare at her, Feng Yin raised an eyebrow. “A true man does not change his name or hide his identity. What is there to fear in stating your name…”
Having reincarnated in the mortal world for a thousand years, Feng Yin’s speech had taken on mortal habits. But before she could continue her lecture, the child had already bowed properly to her and spoke: “Shang Bai, thirteenth disciple of Lianxi Upper Lord of Kunlun Mountain, greets the Phoenix Sovereign.”
Feng Yin had ascended to the throne in a muddled and informal manner, and in daily life, she had even exempted the Phoenix Island clansmen from formal courtesies. Suddenly being greeted with such a perfectly executed ancient bow by this little child left her somewhat uneasy. Only when he introduced himself did she realize where the sense of familiarity came from. Indeed, she had crossed paths with Lianxi Upper Lord of Kunlun Mountain a few times in the past.
“So you are Lianxi’s disciple. How did you end up alone in the ancient forest? Where is your master?” Feng Yin leaned slightly closer to Shang Bai and frowned. “Little one, your Kunlun Mountain hides a grotto abode full of Immortal Elixirs and divine medicines. Even taking one at random could elevate you to a Lower Lord. How is your Immortal Foundation so poor?”
The Immortal Power within Shang Bai was so faint it was almost imperceptible. Kunlun excelled in refining elixirs; even if this child’s foundation was weak, feeding him a few Immortal Elixirs should not have left him in such a pitiful state.Shang Bai's eyes flickered with a hint of strangeness as he lowered his head and replied, "Since childhood, my Immortal Foundation has been weak and my innate constitution poor. I was fortunate that my master did not abandon me and brought me to Kunlun to cultivate. Upon hearing that the Soul Suppressing Pagoda on Wutong Phoenix Island has the miraculous effect of nurturing Immortal Power, my master specially brought me here to seek the Celestial Emperor's permission to use the pagoda. Two days ago, our grandmaster summoned him for urgent matters, so my master returned to Kunlun first, leaving me alone here to nurture my immortal bones. As this is my first time on Phoenix Island, I was unaware of the ancient forest's taboos and mistakenly entered your noble clan's forbidden grounds..."
The little boy's voice grew softer as he spoke, his head sinking lower, as if overwhelmed with shame.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yin recalled the matter of the Soul Suppressing Pagoda. The pagoda was originally gifted by Dong Hua as atonement for Yuan Qi's sins. By rights, it should have been returned to Great Marsh Mountain after Feng Yin awakened, but Great Marsh Mountain had long since... Suppressing the ache in her heart, Feng Yin looked at the little boy with his head bowed.
Who would have thought that this child, who appeared so spirited, was inherently unsuited for cultivating immortality? What a pity. Back when Feng Yin was a Water Condensation Beast, her Immortal Power was low, and she endured quite a few scornful glances. Feeling a sudden empathy for Shang Bai, she grew even more fond of him.
"So that's how it is. There's no need to panic. Since you are Lian Xi's disciple, you share some connection with me. Come, the Soul Suppressing Pagoda isn't here. I'll take you there. Since you need the pagoda to nurture your immortal bones, you may stay on Phoenix Island a while longer. Follow me closely and familiarize yourself with the place, so you won't get lost again." After saying this, Feng Yin took Shang Bai's small hand and led him out of the forest, assuming the demeanor of an elder.
The little boy, whose hand was taken, was visibly startled. By the time he regained his senses, he had already been briskly led quite a distance by the decisive Phoenix Sovereign. Taking small steps as he followed behind Feng Yin, he looked up and happened to catch sight of the Fire Phoenix embroidered on the young woman's sleeve.
Against the light, the Fire Phoenix seemed to soar toward the setting sun, radiating vibrant vitality. A warmth stirred in Shang Bai's heart, which had been frozen for a thousand years.
He brushed his hand over his waist, where the Fire Phoenix Jade that had hung there for a millennium was no longer present.
Raising his head to look at the young woman's retreating figure, his eyes held a trace of bitterness, yet they were also filled with relief and emotion.
That fleeting glimpse all those years ago had been followed by a thousand years of slumber. Who would have thought that the little phoenix who had accompanied him through a millennium of solitude in Clear Pond Palace would have such a temperament?
If Ayin knew, she would surely have adored her...
Just the thought of that name brushing through his heart brought an unmistakable, dull ache to Shang Bai's eyes. He lowered his gaze, but before he could sink into the usual bone-deep despondency, Feng Yin happened to look down. Her warm hand gave his fingers a gentle squeeze as she cast a smile his way.
Shang Bai was taken aback. Pressing his lips together, he felt the warmth of Feng Yin's grasp spread through his palm. Silently, he quickened his pace to keep up with her, and his once-stiff little body gradually softened.
Their figures gradually faded into the distance under the setting sun. In mid-air, a surge of Divine Power rippled as Feng Ran materialized. Watching the retreating figures—one tall, one small—she stroked her chin and clicked her tongue twice, her expression inscrutable.
"That rascal. Back then, he fooled his mother, and now he's fooling my disciple. He hasn't forgotten a single trick Tian Qi taught him."
Her gaze finally settled on Feng Yin, and a thoughtful look crossed her face. "Disciple, oh disciple, what exactly are you hiding from your master? You were supposed to be reincarnating in the mortal world to experience life's trials. How did you end up with a connection to Kunlun's Lian Xi?"
Feng Ran's voice gradually faded, leaving only a faint trace of doubt and curiosity lingering in the ancestral Wutong forest.The Soul Suppressing Pagoda had been entrusted by Feng Ran to Feng Yun for safekeeping. Feng Yin, thinking that Shang Bai’s sense of direction was truly lacking, personally escorted him to Feng Yun’s Cloud Bamboo Hall.
Feng Yun, having wandered around the Phoenix Sovereign’s Palace without catching sight of Feng Yin, returned to his hall just in time to encounter Feng Yin leading the little boy.
Before Shang Bai could even exchange a glance, Feng Yun had already called out from afar with a smile, “Young Master Shang Bai, Her Majesty has been looking for you. I was afraid you’d gotten lost on our Phoenix Island, but it turns out Her Majesty Feng Yin happened upon you.”
As soon as Feng Yun said this, Shang Bai couldn’t help but marvel at his aunt’s skill in governing the island. It had only been a short walk from the ancient phoenix tree forest, yet it seemed everyone on Phoenix Island already knew that Lianxi Upper Lord of Clear Pond Palace had become Young Master Shang Bai of Kunlun Cave Abode.
Shang Bai politely bowed to Feng Yun. “I have come to borrow the Soul Suppressing Pagoda, Elder. I apologize for the disturbance.”
With this gesture, Feng Yun’s expression stiffened, and he subtly shifted his posture, discreetly avoiding the bow.
Heavens! In the Lower Three Realms, who would dare accept a bow from Divine Lord Yuan Qi!
Feng Yun quickly replied, “Not at all, not at all. Upper Lord Lian Xi entrusted the young master to the Phoenix Clan…”
“Enough, enough, no need for such formalities,” Feng Yin waved her hand dismissively. “Elder, Shang Bai’s immortal bones are weak. I’ve kept him on Phoenix Island a while longer to nurture his Immortal Foundation. Given your advanced age, it’s hardly appropriate for him to disturb you daily. Since I’ve only recently ascended the throne and have little to attend to, I have plenty of free time. Send the Soul Suppressing Pagoda to the Phoenix Sovereign’s Palace. Let him come to my hall each day instead.”
Feng Yun was taken aback but dared not disobey. “As you command, Your Majesty.”
Feng Yin patted Shang Bai’s head and, noticing the boy’s robes were askew—likely from a fall from a tree—knelt down to straighten them for him. Smiling, she said, “Rest here in Cloud Bamboo Hall today. Tomorrow, come to my Phoenix Sovereign’s Palace.”
For the Phoenix Sovereign, the ruler of her clan, this gesture was truly astonishing. Especially for Feng Yun, who knew Shang Bai’s true identity. His wrinkled old face revealed a peculiar expression, but in that moment of shock, he deftly lowered his head, ensuring this flicker of emotion went unseen by the Phoenix Sovereign.
The newly Nirvana Reborn Sovereign had always been aloof and indifferent, not even stirred by her own ascension to the throne. Who would have thought she would take such a particular liking to Young Master Shang Bai? If she were to discover the boy’s true identity… Recalling Feng Yin’s unmistakable aversion and indifference whenever Yuan Qi was mentioned, Feng Yun’s heart trembled, and he became even more careful not to betray the slightest hint of anything unusual.
As Feng Yin knelt, her gaze met Shang Bai’s at eye level. The Fire Phoenix’s eyes naturally held a flame-like, otherworldly hue, exceptionally deep and magnificent. Shang Bai was momentarily stunned. In that instant of eye contact, for some reason, he suddenly felt an oddly familiar warmth in those extraordinarily beautiful phoenix eyes.
They had never met since Feng Yin’s awakening, so why did this feel so familiar? Before Shang Bai could even furrow his brow, Feng Yin flicked his forehead. “Daydreaming again? This Sovereign is returning to the Phoenix Sovereign’s Palace. Remember to come tomorrow.”
With that, she patted Shang Bai’s shoulder and turned to leave. After a few steps, she suddenly remembered something and casually asked Feng Yun over her shoulder, “By the way, where is he staying?”
“Nine Splendors Pavilion,” Feng Yun replied.
“Nine Splendors Pavilion again?” Feng Yin murmured almost imperceptibly, a slight frown creasing her brow.
Over a thousand years ago, when Yuan Qi first arrived on Phoenix Island as a disciple of Great Marsh Mountain, he had also stayed in Nine Splendors Pavilion.A distant memory flickered in Feng Yin's eyes, then she suppressed the unusual expression between her brows, nodded, and turned to walk away.
That sudden flash of recollection and the complex look in her eyes fell precisely into the gaze of Shang Bai, who was watching her. Almost instantly, doubt arose in his heart.
Judging by Feng Yin's expression, she clearly had some connection with someone who had once stayed in the Nine Splendors Pavilion. But the Nine Splendors Pavilion was the residence his aunt had prepared for him on Phoenix Island. For over a thousand years, he was the only one who had ever lived there. After Feng Yin's awakening, he had never set foot on Phoenix Island. Before Feng Yin's awakening...
Shang Bai's brows furrowed even deeper.
That one time he entered Phoenix Island over a thousand years ago, Feng Yin had not yet undergone Nirvana Rebirth and had been caused by him to become Soul Scattered and Spirit Dispersed. How could she have any entanglement or connection with him from back then?
In a flash of insight, as if blessed by sudden clarity, Shang Bai abruptly looked up, his gaze fixed on the retreating figure.
That silhouette gradually overlapped with the image of the young girl who had once hidden behind the moonlit rocks. Shang Bai's hand, hanging at his waist, slowly clenched. Warmth welled up in his eyes, carrying a sense of relief and emotion that spanned a millennium.
No wonder Feng Yin's voice had felt familiar, as if he had heard it before.
He truly had heard it.
On Wutong Phoenix Island a thousand years ago, that bold and domineering young girl who had come to his aid yet never revealed herself—it turned out to have been Feng Yin all along.
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